I spent this past weekend in Mankato--and that's a first since I have been living here. Ross drove down for the weekend, so that was really nice. We spent Friday evening at the MSU/U of M hockey game. Both schools play division 1 hockey, but the U of M has a very strong tradition of beating MSU. We had standing room only tickets in the packed arena (we being Ross, myself, and some of his army buddies)... and the U of M proceded to lose quite soundly. We stood next to a younger brother of one of the U of M players, and that was kind of fun. The kid was really into the game and he yelled at the players some. His brother was on the ice for one of the U of M goals. (I'm pretty sure the final score was 6-2.) We almost had a fight break out in the stands next to us. A middle aged Gopher fan started yelling at an MSU student for grouping all Gopher fans together as the type to throw items onto the ice... it was rather ridiculous, and we wondered who the mature person in the argument should have been. Despite the unfortunate outcome, it was fun to be at the game. (Sidenote: the Gophers also lost on Saturday even though they played MSU at Mariucci Arena in Minneapolis. I think that's the first time that MSU swept the U of M, but I could be wrong.)
On Saturday, Ross and I went snowshoeing! It was only our second time going, and first time this winter. The owners of the PT clinic that I "work" at recommended a park to me, and Ross and I loved it. The park is only a few miles outside of Mankato, and it runs along the Minnesota River. The trails were nice, but then we ventured off and had some really nice non-packed snow. My lower legs were sore at the end from lifting the snowshoes, but it was definitely worth it. We saw an eagle on our way to the park, but didn't see any other wildlife. We ventured out onto the frozen river and trekked on it for a ways. We did hear one crack in the ice while on the river. The temperature was above freezing, but it was only the second or third with temps above 32 since the beginning of December, so we weren't too concerned. After about an hour, we headed back into Mankato and to the malls to look at some bridesmaid dresses... and a John Deere toy store. In the evening we made soup with one of Ross's army buddies, watched the dismal end of the hockey game, and saw the movie Defiance.
On Sunday, Ross and I went to the church that is essentially in my backyard. My classmate's dad works there, and the church members were excited to find out that I am living with her family. The ladies that talked with us were really nice and welcoming. The church is a more traditional Lutheran one. I was hoping to use the green hymnals I remember from my Faith Lutheran School days, but it just wasn't to be. The afternoon was spent with wedding plans and relaxing, and counting down to the SuperBowl. We went back to Ross's friend's house for the game, and ate some good food, watched a good game, and some good commercials. It was really fun spending time with Ross's friend Nate and getting to know his roommates and some other friends.
So the weekend wasn't anything overly amazing or exciting, but it was great to relax and NOT WORK! This coming weekend should also be a good one--I'll be in California with family before heading to Las Vegas on Monday for a physical therapy conference. This will be my first trip to Vegas, so I am really looking forward to it. Seeing family before is a definite bonus to the trip, and I also hope to have some beach time in the sun.
